Abstract: A weight distributing hitch for towing a trailer behind a vehicle includes a hitch bar for mounting to the vehicle and a ball mount head for mounting on the hitch bar at a selected tilt angle. A pair of spring bars are mounted to the ball mount head. These spring bars distribute the weight of the trailer relative to the vehicle. Each spring bar is substantially L-shaped and includes a turned groove at a proximal end received in a cooperating aperture in the ball mount head. A retainer of spring steel engages in the grooves to hold the spring bars in position. The relative tilt angle of the ball mount head is adjusted by means of an eccentric angle adjusting element in the form of a washer. This washer is fixed to one of the ball mount head or hitch bar and includes a cam surface for engaging the other of the two elements. A method of adjusting the tilt angle is also provided.

Abstract: In a detent lever for a stacking column for storing storage products, comprising a control lever (3) and a supporting arm (4) having supporting surfaces (6), which are arranged on either side of a pivot pin, a slip-on clip (11) is to be put over the supporting arm (4) or the supporting surface (6).

Abstract: A first shaft 2a and a first guide portion 2c are provided on a rear side portion 2 of an information inputting apparatus. The first guide portion 2c advances in a direction spaced away from the first shaft 2a toward below, and a notch hole 2h connects to a lower portion of the first guide portion 2c. Then, a second guide portion 3b for engaging with the first shaft 2a and a second shaft 3d for engaging with the first guide portion 2c are provided on the foot member 3, and a pair of resilient pieces 3e are provided on side faces of the foot member 3. Further, a foot cover 5 is provided which has an extending through portion 5e for moving the foot member 3 to appear and disappear and is supported for rotation on the first shaft 2a.

Abstract: A lever assembly includes a housing having a pivot slot formed in one end thereof. A lever has a pivot pin slidably and pivotally received in the slot and is pivotal from a centered position to displaced positions. An end of the lever carries a roller. The pivot slot is elongated in a direction which is tilted at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the lever when the lever is in its centered position. A lever spring is biassed to urge the lever to its centered position. The housing also forms a stop which is engagable with the lever to prevent pivoting of the lever into a first displaced position unless the pivot pin slides within the slot and towards the stop. The housing also forms a detent device which engages the roller and releasably holds the lever in a displaced position. Portions of the housing integrally form the stop and the detent device. The detent device is formed in part by a movable member which projects from a central portion of the housing.

Abstract: A switch actuating assembly supports and actuates a limit switch of the ball and roller type. The assembly includes a housing, a plunger movably positioned within the housing, and an end cap which closes off one end of the housing. The assembly is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle control panel utilizing conventional mounting hardware. Various ball and roller type limit switches are interchangeable with the housing body. The plunger is movable between a first detent position with the limit switch activated and a second spring loaded position with the limit switch deactivated.

Abstract: A shift device for an automatic transmission of an automobile includes an indicator box affixed to the automobile floor. The indicator box has, in part, a wavy surface and a shift lever which is moved back and forth about an axle by an operator of the automobile. A spring-biased check ball is resiliently held in contact with the wavy surface of the indicator box, and is moved back and forth with respect to the axle in correspondence with motion of the shift lever. The position of the shift lever is regulated by the wavy surface of the indicator box and an indicator is visually provided, so that the shift lever stops accurately at positions of the indicator without needing adjustment during assembly of the selected shift device in a manufacturing assembly line.

Abstract: A power assisted vacuum cleaner is provided with a hand grip neutralling arrangement which is self seeking or presettable to provide a neutral position for the actuating linkage of the cleaner. A neutralling spring constantly urges a neutralling pin towards neutralling position and it is freed by movement of a manually operated button to seek this position.

Abstract: A motorcycle throttle control for installation in a hand grip throttle control comprises a body designed to be threaded into a motorcycle throttle housing, a plunger within the body, and a cam lever mounted by the body for engaging the plunger to urge it into binding contact with a motorcycle throttle drum to hold a motorcycle throttle in a predetermined position.

Abstract: An adjustable chair includes a base, a seat, a back and a chair control for pivotally connecting the back to the base for movement between an upright position and an inclined position. The seat is pivoted to the base at a front end. The seat is also connected to the base by a plurality of locking plates. A spring clamp normally holds the plates in a locked position. The clamp permits pivotal adjustment of the seat with respect to the base. A cable actuated back stop or lock includes a lever pivoted to the back. When in the operative position, the lever contacts the locking plates connected to the seat to limit or prevent tilting of the back with respect to the seat.

Abstract: The apply and release hydraulic parking valve (20, 120) comprises a housing (40, 140) having therein a bore (42) with first (52, 152) and second (54, 154) reservoir grooves communicating with one or more reservoir ports (46, 146A, 146B), a supply groove (63) communicating with a supply port (47, 147), and apply (44, 144) and release ports (48, 148) communicating with said bore (42, 142). A spool valve (60, 160) is located slidably within the bore (42), the spool valve (60, 160) activated by a lever (31, 131) received within an opening (67, 167) of the spool valve (60, 160). One end of the spool valve (60, 160) has a pair of washers (74, 76) disposed thereabout with a spring member (80, 180) located about the spool valve (60, 160) and between the washers (74, 76), and a stop sleeve (82, 182) located about the spool valve (160, 60). The spool valve (60, 160) includes a chamfered groove (61) engaging a check valve (50, 150) within the supply port (47, 147).

Abstract: A rapid locking device including: a handle formed with a curved portion at one end, two lugs at another end, a first hole between said two lugs, and an opening below the hole; a fixing member with a threaded hole and a second hole; a center rod threadedly engaged with the threaded hole of said fixing member; an axle extending through the lugs of said handle and said fixing member; a spring-loaded pin inserted into the first hole of said handle; and a button disposed within the opening of said handle and connected with a lower end of said spring-loaded pin, whereby the handle may be firmly and quickly kept in a fixed position.

Abstract: A locking pin, in particular for the securing of shift positions of a shift linkage in automobile transmissions, comprises a hollow cylindrical shaft portion (1) which is drawn from thin-walled sheet metal and closed at one end by a bottom (2). This bottom (2) projects radially beyond the shaft portion (1). A locking element (3) projecting out of the shaft portion (1) at the open end thereof is guided longitudinally displaceable in the shaft portion (1), retained secure against loss und pre-tensioned in the locking direction by a spring (4). To obtain a locking pin which is cost-effective in manufacturing and easily dismountable, a diameter enlargement (7) serving as a stop is provided at a pre-determined distance both from the open end of the shaft portion (1) and from the bottom (2).

Abstract: A gear shift apparatus includes a shaft having a first axis extending laterally with respect to a vehicle body. A bracket is secured to a pivot pin rotatable about a second axis extending laterally with respect to the first axis. A gear shift lever is secured to the bracket for unitary rotation therewith about the second axis. A sleeve is fixed to the gear shift lever for unitary motion therewith. A check ball is supported by the sleeve and urged against a cam surface of a stationary position plate. The cam surface has a plurality of recesses engaged with the check ball.

Abstract: A snap-action device, for use in electrical switches, which includes at least one toothed wheel, a switch having a base with a shoulder guide and a cylindrical wall for supporting the toothed wheel, with an inclined portion at opposite ends thereof, at least one spring, and a pawl having a pawl base and side walls with at least one surface inclined along the pawl base. The pawl is slidably attached to the shoulder guide and connected to the switch by snapping steps on the pawl onto corresponding counter-steps on the switch to prevent accidental separation of the pawl from the switch. At least one tang is arranged with the surface of the side walls and the portions of the cylindrical wall to define a cavity wherein the spring is inserted and pre-loaded.

Abstract: A toggle type parking brake lever apparatus capable of surely holding a brake lever at a brake application position is provided. Attached to the brake lever is a pivotable stopper pawl, with which a stopper surface formed on a stopper plate is adapted to be engaged in a brake application condition so as to inhibit the brake lever from being turned in a brake releasing direction. A stopper releasing rod with a push button is provided longitudinally of the brake lever to pivot the stopper pawl, thereby to disengage the stopper pawl from the stopper face. The invention is also applicable to a brake lever which is supported to a lever bracket, tiltably back and forth, and left and right, by means of a universal joint.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism for a steering column is pivotally attached to vehicle structure including a bracket member attached to vehicle structure, a collar disposed within the bracket member and adapted to receive the steering column, and structure disposed between the bracket member and the collar for selectively positioning the collar relative to the bracket member.

Abstract: A modular vehicle transmission shifter mechanism and method of manufacture in which the shifter mechanism is so constructed that it is adapted for use with different transmissions of different vehicles by providing standard components for supporting a pawl detent member and a position feel detent member. The standard components include a detent support member having attachments cooperating with attachments on the detent members, such attachments for each pawl member and said attachments for each position feel detent member being identical requiring only the change in configuration in the notches of the pawl detent member and the undulations in the position feel detent member. This shifter includes a unique shifting handle assembly and an improved support structure for the detent support member.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission shifter mechanism having a shift lever frame including a roller detent, a shift lever shiftable to a plurality of different shift positions and a feel positioner for providing a feel to a vehicle operator for establishing each of the shift positions is provided with an improvement, the improvement being a leaf spring configured in a U-shaped arrangement at one end to quick connect into a pair of spaced apertures in a plate on the shift lever, and configured at the other end with opposing fingers to snappingly quick connect to a roller for rollingly engaging the roller detent. The roller is biased against the roller detent which generates reactive forces on the one end of the leaf spring causing the one end to be securely retained in the spaced apertures in the plate and causing the roller to be securely retained in the opposing fingers on the other end.

Abstract: A liquid viscous damper having drive plates (3) and driven plates (23) in a case (1). The drive plates (3) have an annular housing (35) mounted thereon and slidable relative to drive plates (3) in a circumferential direction. A maximum torsional torque limiting stopper mechanism is installed between the housing (35) and the driven plates (23). A torque limiter (51), including balls (52), ball engaging concave portions (53) and urging springs (55) are positioned between the casing (1) and the drive plates (3). The ball engaging concave portions (53) are formed on a sliding surface of the casing (1) and the balls are urged by the urging springs (55) to be pressed onto the sliding surfaces of the case (1) so as to engage with the ball engaging concave portion (53) by a specified pressure for disengagement from concave portions (53) when excessive impact torque is applied.

Abstract: A shifter mechanism is provided with an elongated handle having a bore extending along an axis longitudinally of the handle, a rod extending through the bore for actuating a pawl, and a pawl member, the rod and pawl member being provided with a novel connection arrangement for connecting the pawl member to the lower end of the rod. In particular, the connection arrangement includes the lower rod end having an opening at its extreme end extending into a recess within the rod, the recess being defined by a wall, and the pawl member having an upwardly extending upper end adapted to be inserted into the recess. More particularly, the opening and the recess in the lower rod end and the upper end of the pawl each have cross sections whereby the upper end of the pawl member is receivable axially along the bore axis through the opening and into the recess.

Abstract: A rotary temperature mechanism for controlling the temperature door of a HVAC system of a vehicle includes a rotatable cam connected by a shaft to a rotary temperature control knob. The cam includes a helical rib thereon coacting with a carrier restricted to linear, sliding motion by the housing in response to rotation of the cam. The housing provides a linear track for guiding the carrier. Detent members are provided between the cam and housing to impart discrete stepping feel on rotation of the knob. The detent members include ball bearings on the cam rolling along a corrugated track of the housing. A cable is connected to the carrier and controls the temperature door by linear motion imparted thereon.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid flow control valve that can accurately regulate the volume of fluid flow through the valve in discrete steps by means of a ratchet mechanism associated with a rotatable shaft. The rotatable shaft has a sealing surface on one end for mating with a sealing surface on the output port to close the output port or open it as the shaft is rotated. The shaft is threadedly engaged with the body portion such that it can be rotated a limited portion during opening the valve so that it cannot be accidentally rotated out of the body portion and the valve disassembled. A bleed valve is associated with the hollow chamber to limit the maximum pressure in the valve chamber.

Abstract: The starting device includes a starting pinion mounted on a thrust rod and movable between a disengaged and engaged position with an internal combustion engine; a movable switching bolt located in a solenoid; a sphere mounted at an end face of the switching bolt closest to the thrust rod; a disc and a spring device arranged between the sphere and the end face of the switching bolt, the spring device being located between the disc and the end face, and a holding device for retaining the sphere on the end face of the switching bolt.

Abstract: A cam and follower mechanism for connecting a vehicle accelerator pedal to an engine throttle body throttle valve for varying rates of movement of the throttle valve, including a washer-like cam operatively connected to the vehicle accelerator pedal by a pivotal connection to a cable assembly connected to the pedal, the cam having an internal surface adapted to be engaged progressively on a point-to-point basis by a one-piece tang follower to provide an infinite number of fulcrums about which the follower and throttle lever and throttle valve are forced to rotate as the accelerator pedal is progressively moved, the follower moving as the cam is pulled in one direction to thereby change the fulcrum progressively and thereby provide initially a slow rate of opening of the throttle valve in response to a large movement of the accelerator pedal, followed by a faster rate of movement of the throttle valve as the pedal moves in essentially a constant manner, to provide more nearly a movement in proportion to the an

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively controlling endwise movement of two control members comprising first structure including body structure supporting the members for selective endwise movement thereof; actuator structure coupled to the members for selectively moving the members endwise; and lock structure selectively movable into locking relation with the members to selectively block endwise movement thereof.

Abstract: An improved handle/prop is provided for a pen-based computer wherein the handle/prop is pivotally mounted to opposite side edges of the computer. The handle/prop can be pivoted and locked into a plurality of different positions. In particular, these positions are selected to facilitate carrying the computer, supporting the computer on a flat surface in one or more inclined positions for writing and/or viewing, and holding the computer during writing. A ratchet locking mechanism is provided for locking the handle/prop into the plurality of different positions. This ratchet locking mechanism includes first and second release buttons located at points where the handle/prop pivotally connects at opposite side edges of the computer. In addition, the ratchet locking mechanism includes a handle-tie piece extending through the interior of the computer to spring bias the release button into a locked position.

Abstract: A door operator for a reversibly operable door, such as a garage door includes a frame, a motor on the frame, a flexible drive member connected to the motor, and a carriage is mounted for movement along the frame. The carriage moves generally parallel to a portion of the frame and is attached to the door to open and close the door by movement of the carriage along the frame. The carriage can be selectively engaged and disengaged from the flexible drive member using an actuating member extending from the carriage. The carriage and the flexible drive member are engaged and disengaged upon successive motions of the actuating member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the carriage.

Abstract: A remote control system for controlling the actuation of a pair of control levers through a control unit and an actuator unit from a remote location by a moveable operator. The operator is attached to a drive plate for rotation when the operator is moved. A contact element is associated with the drive plate and is adapted to make contact with one or the other of a pair of friction plates after the operator is rotated through a predetermined angle from its upright position so that the frictional force between the contact element and the friction plate increases as the angle of rotation of the operator increases from the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A change-speed lever apparatus for use on a bicycle, comprises: a fixed member; a winding member pivotably supported to the fixed member and urged toward a cable-winding direction, the winding member winding a change-speed cable; a control lever operable to pivot the winding member only in the cable-winding direction via a one-way mechanism with an operation thereof in a forward direction against the urging force. A position-maintaining mechanism having an engaging member and a plurality of engaging portions operable to stepwisely and elastically engage with the engaging member, the mechanism maintaining a position of the winding member; and a release mechanism for releasing the position-maintaining condition of the winding member by the position-maintaining mechanism by releasing the engagement between the engaging member and the one engaging portion and for effecting a change-speed operation by causing the winding member to pivot in the cable-rewinding direction with the cable-rewinding urging force.

Abstract: A locking arrangement between an ignition lock and the selector lever of an automatic motor vehicle transmission has a locking slide arranged on the selector-lever side which, via a control ramp, displaces a locking bolt into a position blocking locking pin. This blocking position can only be achieved when the selector lever with the inoperative button is in the parking position and an ignition key has been rotated into an inoperative position. When the ignition key is pulled out, the selector lever cannot move out of the parking position, thereby preventing an accidental engaging, for example, in a neutral position.

Abstract: In a machine such as a vehicle mounted earth drill, in which a rotating element is driven by an internal combustion engine, a clutch operating lever arm or handle is hingedly mounted on a plate, the plate is mounted on a fixed frame, the lever arm is spring biased in a direction away from the plate, and a keeper is provided having a receiving channel with a lip past which the arm moves in response to the bias of the spring when the arm is rotated with the plate about the pivot of the plate to a point beyond the lip, whereby when the arm is released at a point beyond the lip it is engaged in the channel until the arm is moved manually against the bias of the spring to a place clear of the lip.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for the back portion of a seat comprises a fixed circular flange attached to an armature of the sitting portion of the seat. The fixed flange has a cup-shaped recess and cutouts spaced at 120.degree. from one another. Each cutout contains a block with an outer toothing. The blocks are resting on block-pushing members each provided with a finger facing the mobile flange. The block-pushing members rest on a cam with three steps. The fingers of the block-pushing members cooperate with a release ring housed inside the mobile flange and having three projections provided for pushing the block-pushing members toward the center of the adjusting mechanism when the cam is pivoted in a direction for moving the back portion of the seat onto the sitting portion.

Abstract: A work rotating apparatus, for use in conjunction with a laser machine tool, comprises a frame, a rotatable shaft mounted on the frame for rotation on an axis, and a work mounting chuck supported by the shaft. A first disc is fixed to and rotates with the shaft. A second, stationary, disc is mounted on the frame in opposed relation to the rotatable disc. Recesses, formed on one of the discs, are positioned in circumferentially spaced relationship to one another, in a circle centered on the axis of the rotatable shaft. A spring-loaded ball detent is provided on the other disc for engagement with selected ones of the recesses. The work can be easily moved to each of several preset angles of inclination. A lock lever is provided to lock the shaft not only at the preset positions, but at any other desired position, so that any desired angle of inclination of the work can be achieved.

Abstract: A locking device for an adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle has first and second interengageable disc members each being provided with toothed areas which pass through respective windows of the other disc member to engage in corresponding portions of the steering column. A spring is interposed between the two members to urge them apart which has the effect of withdrawing the toothed profiles out of engagement with the steering column assembly so that they are retracted in the windows. The invention has for its effect to facilitate free movement of a steering column in a fore and aft direction and/or up and down direction, while being able to reliably lock the column in position when desired.

Abstract: A device for retaining a depressed reversing valve in the depressed position which is operable by the fingers or thumb of one hand to accomplish both the depressing and locking motions and the unlocking motion when it is desired to return the tool to conventional push to reverse operation. This is accomplished by a notched rotary sleeve mounted to the tool housing.

Abstract: A rotating shaft has a ball bearing axially fixed on the shaft with a recess formed in the outer race. A detent device, urged radially toward the recess, cooperates with inclined flanks on axially opposite sides of the recess to produce a counterforce in response to axial displacement of the shaft without generating significant friction caused by rotation of the shaft. The detent device may have a spherical tip received in a conical or groove-shaped recess or it may be a rotatable roller received in a transversely oriented groove in the outer race.

Abstract: A control mechanism for the selective engagement and disengagement of a motor drive includes an elongated handle which is connected to the control arm of the motor drive wherein the position of the control arm determines whether the motor drive is engaged or disengaged. The handle is selectively movable to two positions corresponding to the engaging and disengaging positions of the control arm. The handle is resiliently urged to its positions. Locking structure is provided to selectively hold the handle in each of the positions.

Abstract: Detent mechanisms are useful for retaining a stem of a control valve at predetermined operating positions. The ball type detents commonly used in control valves tend to slide thereby causing the operator to extend additional energy to overcome the sliding friction. The subject detent mechanism includes a roller rotatably disposed on a pin carried by a roller carrier. The roller has an annular arcuate surface in rolling contact with the peripheral surface of the stem. The arcuate surface increases the contact surface between the roller and the stem to thereby insure that the roller rolls on the stem and minimizes the lever effort necessary to move the stem.

Abstract: A gear selector device (1) for an indirectly maneuvered vehicle gearbox has a pivotably mounted maneuvering column (3) and a locking arrangement (17) for locking the column in predetermined positions. The locking arrangement includes a first locking part (18) arranged on the maneuvering column and a second locking part (19) which cooperates with the first part and forms a cover for the housing (4) of the gear selector device and has a guide slot (21) for the maneuvering column. A spring-loaded first locking body (31) on the maneuvering column (3) can be brought into engagement with different locking members (30) in the cover and thereby hold the maneuvering column in different positions.

Abstract: A carrousel tool box having a cabinet, a carrousel of trays mounted for rotation within the cabinet, and a shaft attached to the carrousel along the axis of rotation of the carrousel of trays and extending outwardly through the cabinet, with a locking crank for turning the shaft. The locking crank includes an arm attached to the shaft, a handle pivotally mounted to the end of the arm, a fulcrum on the arm, a spring-biased locking pin which engages with openings in a plate on the cabinet, and a lever pivoted on the fulcrum and operated by the handle for causing the locking pin to lock or unlock the rotation of the carrousel in response to movement of the handle from a locking position to a cranking position. The arm has guides for constraining the lever to sit on the fulcrum and for limiting the movement of the lever. The tool box has various drawers and a lid with side slots which slidably and pivotally hinge on a pair of hinge posts on the sides of the cabinet.

Abstract: A pivotal throttle control lever having a plurality of primary flaps with teeth formed therein in an arc about the pivot axis of the lever. A plurality of ribs, each corresponding to a respective primary flap are provided for engaging the teeth as the lever is pivoted by the operator. The ribs deflect the primary flaps only as the teeth engage the ribs during pivotal shifting of the lever. The ribs are offset within respective spaces between the teeth such that the primary flaps alternate deflecting as the ribs encounter the teeth. A choke flap is formed integrally with the lever and deflects as a choke tooth abuts a first portion of the control quadrant. The choke tooth is positionable within an opening for securing the lever in the choke mode. The resistance to shifting created by the choke tooth in abutment with the first portion is great than the resistance created by the teeth encountering the ribs, such that the operator senses the position of the lever during shifting.

Abstract: This is a device for detachably attaching large wheels to the bottom of a suitcase. The wheels are connected together by a common axle. A bracket is molded or attached to the bottom of the suitcase and the bracket has axle receiving slots formed therein. A lever is pivotally mounted on the bracket, and when the axle of the wheels is inserted in the axle receiving slots, the lever is pivoted in a direction which closes off the entrance to the slot and locks the axis in the slot. A device is provided for pivoting the lever in a direction which allows the axle to be removed from the slot.

Abstract: A park lock releasing mechanism for a transmission shift control device, includes a release button installed on a gear position indicator and top panel assembly, and a release lever installed on a selector lever and operatively connected through an intermediate member to the release button for driving a bushing of a park lock mechanism when the release button is pushed downward. The intermediate member is so shaped as to enable release button to be offset from the release lever in a vehicle width direction.

Abstract: An improved locking mechanism for detachably securing a seat back to a chair frame is disclosed. The improved locking mechanism includes a pair of side brackets secured to opposite sides of the seat back. Linkage supported from the chair frame are provided for receiving the slide brackets thereon for supporting the seat back on the chair frame in a predetermined orientation relative to the seat member. A moveable locking arm is supported from the slide brackets and includes an offset arcuate cam surface which is adapted to engage an arcuate notch formed on the linkage when the locking arm is moved to a locked position. The mating engagement of the arcuate offset cam surface within the arcuate notch generates a line-of-contact therebetween which inhibits relative movement between the slide brackets and the upstanding links for rigidly securing seat member to the chair frame.

Abstract: A control transmitter, especially for hydraulic valves comprises a housing, a switching rod which is arranged in the housing deflectably in at least two main axes, a ball pivot turnably supporting the switching rod in the housing, two control brackets arranged perpendicularly to one another and turnably supported in the housing so that the switching rod is in operative connection with the control brackets, a rotary angle transmitter arranged on a bearing point of each of the control brackets, a spring-loaded sliding body arranged on the switching rod and having an outer edge which slides over a conically curved contour of the housing having different raising portions.

Abstract: A tilt steering wheel assembly includes a bracket member which supports an upper part of a steering column for pivotal movement about a pivot axis. A sector member has a set of adjustment teeth on one side and a pair of spaced apart detent recesses on the other side. A manually operable pawl member pivots with the bracket member, is slidable towards and away from the sector member has a teeth which are engageable and disengageable with the sector member teeth to releasably hold the bracket member and steering column upper part in a plurality of fine adjustment positions. A manually operable rod is movable towards and away from the sector member and is engageable and disengageable with the detent recesses to allow the sector member's, pawl, bracket member and steering column upper part to pivot together as a unit to a limit position and back to the particular position they occupied just before they were moved to the limit position.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the rim of a vehicle which including a buffer wheel head mounted adjacent a wheel mounting device and being pivotable toward the rim about a first axis which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. The buffer wheel head includes a pair of buffer wheel mounted on a drive shaft in the buffer wheel head, at least one of the buffer wheels being axially adjustable on the shaft so that the pair of buffer wheels can be positioned immediately within the side flanges of the rim. The head is pivotally about another axis spaced from and perpendicular to the first axis so as to allow the pair of buffer wheels to swivel to turn the buffer wheels at a slight angle relative to the side flanges first to one side and then to the other to thereby simultaneous engage both flanges with an enhanced buffing action.

Abstract: A switch mechanism 70 discriminates as to whether a lever 40 is in a detent position or not. When the lever is in the detent position, a detent device 80 is activated by a fluid pressure to produce a force for holding the lever in the detent position. The operation of the detent device is dismissed when the lever is not in the detent position. A pressure sensor 97 detects whether the operator's hand is in touch with the grip 49 of the lever, thus determining whether the operation of the detent device 80 is necessary. An actuator 30 is operated or stopped in response to manipulation of the lever. When the lever is moved to a position other than the detent position, an operation reaction force of a level corresponding to the load pressure in the actuator is applied by reaction force device 60, 60' to the lever so as to enable the operator to sense any change in the load pressure and starting operation of the actuator.

Abstract: A locking device for an auxiliary lock comprising a rotatable ring provided with inner teeth around the inner peripheral surface and a traditional lock additionally provided with a lateral hole to fit a spring and a steel ball pushed by the spring therein, the ball extending a little out of the lateral hole to engage with the inner teeth in the rotatable ring, the inner teeth being able to be felt surely to slide over the ball when the rotatable ring is rotated.

Abstract: A shifting arrangement for a motor vehicle transmission has a selector lever which, for preselecting automatic gear positions, can be swivelled in a first shifting channel and, by way of a transverse channel, can be changed-over into a second shifting channel in which the transmission gears can be shifted manually. Both end positions of the change-over movement can be locked by a spring detent which has a detent lever equipped with a detent link, a tension spring, and a detent member of the selector lever which engages in the detent link.